Police issued an appeal to trace Pauline Taylor this morning after she left her home in the town – and she has now been found alive and safe this afternoon.

A police spokesman said: “Just after 1pm today police took a call from a member of the public who reported a woman had been found on the beach between Pakefield and Kessingland.

“Officers went to a local holiday park, where she had been taken in, and spoke to the woman, confirmed as being Mrs Taylor. We would like to thank all of those who helped with this appeal and assisted with the search for her.

Concerns for the well-being of Mrs Taylor had been raised as she has a medical condition and she had left her mobile phone behind.

Officers subsequently launched an extensive search, which included involvement from the force helicopter, Lowestoft lifeboat and the Lowestoft and Southwold coastguard rescue teams.